A short note on the Rasa Theory

Bharat Muni is acknowledged to be a legendary author of the '' Natyashasatra'',  the first Sanskrit work on Dramaturgy. The treatise says that Bharata Muni was the one who popularised the ''Natyaveda'' created by Brahma,on the earth. 

Aim of Natyashastra:- 

the NatyaShastra known as NatyaVeda or the 5th veda, is a classical manual on the theory and practice of Indian aesthetics -theatre ,music ,dance,poetics,  gestures and many other allied arts- given by BharataMuni. 

What is Rasa?

The word '' Rasa '' primarily  means essence, juice, taste, water, blood, beauty  and Sentiment. The realisation of Rasa is a peculiar mental phenomenon in which many things are enjoyed and felt as separate entities. 

There is no proper word in English to signifythe word ''Rasa'' itself is used & no other substitute word has been found so far. Rasa may be translated as aesthetic pleasure and it is the culminating experience we have, While enjoying an art.Without ''Rasa'', music serves no purpose. Mr.GhulumNabi says that the human mind is the soul where Rasa has got it's seeds.

Types of Rasa:-

There are nine Rasa according to NatyaShastra, they are-

i) Hasya; ii) Singara; iii) Karuna ; iv) Vira ; v) Raudra ; vi) Bhayanaka ; vii) Bhibhtsa ; viii) Adbhuta & ix) Santa.